VITO Technology has recently released an upgrade to FunContact.  The update brings the version number up to 3, so with the major number change we decided it was time to spend some hands on time with the program.  I’ve installed FunContact on my Wizard (thanks to VITO for donating a copy for review) and have spent some time with it as my primary contact manager.  Grab a glass of iced tea and join us to see how FunContact faired.

The premise of FunContact is simple.  It offers a finger friendly user interface for managing contacts.  The full screen interface (the standard top and bottom bars of Windows Mobile are hidden) is broken up into three different views:  a scrollable list of contacts, a favorites pane and a recent caller screen.  Each of these can be navigated using icons resting comfortably at the bottom of the screen.  Within each of the views, the screen scrolls nicely as you swipe your finger up or down.  As with the icons at the bottom of the screen to switch views, all of the selectable buttons and objects are large and finger friendly.

Screen one allows the user to fluidly scroll up and down through the full list of contacts on your Windows Mobile device.  An index bar, recognizable from various contact managers, resides along the right side of the screen.  Quick searching for a contact can also be done using the number pad.  It would be a wonderful addition if this number pad could be used to enter a number for dialing that doesn’t already exist in the program.

The second of the three screens provides a “favorites” panel, containing a list of tagged contacts.  Tapping one of the favorites allows you to initiate a phone call or SMS to the person.  The entries, displaying a thumbnail image of the contact, are large, oriented towards the finger friendly nature that we’ve come to expect by now.

Screen three provides users with a list of recent incoming and outgoing calls.  As you’ve probably gathered by now, the display is easily scrollable.  Selecting one of the entries allows the user to choose between the option of calling or sending an SMS.

It’s safe to assume that FunContact works with the same database as your Pocket Outlook, so there is no need to have a separate copy of your information.  This means no need for messing importing and exporting.  You can also add new contacts directly from the program, with the option to complete the fields in the program or switch over to the standard Pocket Outlook New Contact form.

The next aspect of FunContact that we are going to look at is the installation of the program.  With the CAB weighing in at near 3 MB, I opted for installation on my Wizard’s external memory card.  I’m stingy with my RAM, so I was initially very glad to see that there weren’t any additional components installed to internal memory.  FunContact worked just fine running it from the card, with perhaps only a small performance lag when initially loading the program.  One additional aspect of installation that is worth noting is that FunContacts seems to take over the standard Windows Mobile Contacts links, so if you choose your Contacts program you’re automatically going to be redirected.

As I noted earlier, I’ve spent some time working with FunContact as my primary means of handling contacts.  I’m not a heavy phone user… typically I only talk with one person on my cell phone per day, maybe two.  If I have a day where I call more than three people, I’m being very social (no kidding).  What I do need for this though, is a quick solution.  I want to be able to initiate the call quickly.  I don’t want to have to think about what I’m doing.  While the finger friendly user interface found in FunContact is useful:  it’s quick once you are inside of the program; there are a few too many steps involved.  FunContact requires me to jump into the program, switch to the favorites view and tap the contact to initiate a call.  VITO may want to consider a solution for speeding up this procress, perhaps a solution as a today plugin displaying the favorite contacts.

In conclusion, FunContact provides a finger friendly alternative to the standard Windows Mobile Pocket Outlook Contact solution.  It’s got more glam and glitz that the standard offering and is fun to use, from the scrolling and animation aspect.  Read on for my favorite aspects and concerns regarding FunContact.

What I Liked About FunContact 3:

• The ability to install to the card is welcomed for the memory conservative.
• The finger friendly interface is very fluid in use.
• The dark theme is very professional and aesthetically pleasing.

What I Didn’t Like About FunContact 3:

• There is a lack of customization in the program.
• There is no today screen plugin for dialing contacts.
• There is no integration with the connection manager.
• The top and bottom bars of Windows Mobile are hidden with no option to restore them.

Where to Download and Purchase:

FunContact 3 can be downloaded for a trial here.

FunContact 3 can be registered for $19.95 here.

Users wanting to take advantage of other VITO applications, such as Winterface, Zoomboard and SMS-Chat along with FunContact really should take a look at the package here that is available.  With a massive savings of over $40 for the full package, one can get several VITO Techonology applications for $24.95.